About the fishtail palm

Caryota urens is an accepted palm species native from southern India and Sri Lanka through parts of mainland and island South-East Asia. Its twice-divided leaves carry wedge-shaped leaflets with ragged tips, creating the characteristic fishtail appearance. It is a monocarpic palm: an individual trunk flowers in sequence and eventually completes its life cycle.

Also known as: Solitary fishtail palm, Toddy palm, Jaggery palm, Kitul palm, Wine palm, Bherli maad and Choondapana.

Sowing guide

1. Wear gloves when cleaning any remaining fruit material, because Caryota fruit contains irritating crystals.
2. Soak clean seed in room-temperature water.
3. Sow in a warm, well-drained medium in a deep pot and cover lightly.
4. Maintain even moisture, warmth and ventilation without saturation.

Freshness and temperature strongly affect palm germination, and seedlings may appear at different times. Keep the container undisturbed and labelled.

Growing on

Move seedlings gradually into bright filtered light. Protect young plants from cold and harsh drying exposure. Repot into a deep container before the roots become crowded, keeping the root ball intact.

Caryota urens is a tropical tree that eventually needs height and canopy room. It is better suited to warm landscapes, greenhouses or large conservatories than to a small permanent indoor pot. Do not handle or eat the raw fruit; this listing is for botanical seed growing.